Darren Fletcher believes Manchester United are regaining a “winning mentality” and wants to beat Liverpool in International Champions Cup final to lay down a marker ahead of a season in which he is convinced the title can return to Old Trafford.

The Scot, who was outstanding in United’s 3-1 win over Real Madrid in front of a 109,318 crowd at Michigan Stadium – a record attendance for a football match in America – is relishing the clash with Liverpool in Miami.

Two goals from Ashley Young and another from Javier Hernández were answered only by a Gareth Bale penalty to ensure United remain unbeaten under Louis van Gaal in four matches during the summer tour.

Fletcher hailed the side’s displays so far. “They have been fantastic. The results are important, but so are the performances and they have got better with every game,” said the Scot. “Hopefully that can continue, but the main thing is winning games and getting that mentality back. We can feel it coming back. Before the first game [against Los Angeles Galaxy], we spoke about doing that – winning and getting the feel-good factor of winning because it breeds confidence.”

Despite the meeting with Liverpool being a friendly the stakes are high. “It’s Man United v Liverpool. I know it’s only pre-season and it’s just a summer competition, but when United play Liverpool, it is always a big deal,” Fletcher said. “We want to win every match and it is no different when we play Liverpool.”

The midfielder is keen to make amends for last season’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford in March. “Hopefully, yes. We have just beaten Real Madrid, the European champions, and we now want to go on and beat Liverpool,” he said. “That is the sort of thing that gives the squad confidence. We have a lot of young players out here and you have to remember that. But all of us have to do it as a team, collectively, and we are doing that.”

Fletcher does not consider going from last season’s seventh-place finish to champions impossible. “I don’t think so, no. We go out to win the league,” he claimed. “It is a dangerous mindset to have, to target fourth place. We are not players or a club that thinks like that and we will be going out to win the league.”

The lack of European football might also help. “I think Liverpool showed that last year and we believe we can win the league again,” Fletcher said.

“Liverpool didn’t have European football last year and they went close to winning the league, so hopefully we can go one better next year.”

Ashley Young, who is being asked to operate in an unfamiliar left wing-back role in Van Gaal’s fluid 5-2-1-2 system, said: “There is no better game to finish the tour with. We all know the rivalry with the two teams – it’ll be a great occasion and everyone can’t wait. People may look at it as pre-season but we want to go out and win the game and the trophy.

“It was a fantastic result [against Madrid]. We wanted to be on the front foot from the start and that’s what happened. We only needed a draw but we’re Manchester United so we were only focused on the win. And we want to win the whole tournament now.

“It doesn’t matter that it’s pre-season, we’re here to try to pick up the trophy. We’re in the final and we want to win it.”

Young now has four goals on the tour, having also scored twice against LA Galaxy in the first match in Pasadena. “It’s always nice to get on the scoresheet and the build-up to the first goal was fantastic,” he said of an impressive passing move from United. “I think there were only two players not involved in it.”

As for Fletcher, he has now been asked by Van Gaal to lead the side in three of the four matches. “I think it’s just because I have played the 90 minutes in those games. I’ve had three 90 minutes and been captain three times,” said the 30-year-old, who believes he is returning to his best after a long battle with illness. “I think so. I was so excited to start pre-season and get back in the gym. I have worked hard in the off-season. I haven’t had a pre-season for about three years now, but it is very important for any player and it has been great for me to be so involved.

“I am not playing catch-up now or behind anybody in terms of fitness and that gives you a big advantage.”